From 4 to 7 September 2025, the fourth edition of the Cous Cous Unplugged festival took place in the parking area of the P. Neruda School Complex (Via di Casal del Marmo 216, 00135 Rome).
The initiative, promoted by Roma Capitale – Department of Culture, was awarded under the Call “Roma Creativa 365. Culture All Year Round”, in collaboration with Zètema Progetto Cultura and with the support of the Charlemagne Foundation.
Marco Della Porta (President of Municipality XIV) illustrated the role of the municipal administration in culture-based urban regeneration projects, aimed at transforming urban areas into a large public agora. The neighborhoods of Ottavia and Palmarola, indeed, have never had such a space, having developed spontaneously and without prior urban planning.
Davide Dose (Cous Cous Unplugged) highlighted the energy and positive outcomes achieved by the festival over the years, which has fostered new connections and brought renewed vitality to the local community.
Tullia Valeria Di Giacomo (Researcher in Urban Planning at Sapienza University of Rome) presented the depaving and micro-forestation project implemented at the Pablo Neruda School, where approximately 100 square meters of pavement were removed to create two large flowerbeds, designed to accommodate around 200 specimens of native plant species.
Adriano Contardi (PhD candidate in Law and Business at Luiss Guido Carli University) described the activities undertaken within the Neighborhood Laboratories, as part of Roma Capitale’s Integrated Urban Plan at Santa Maria della Pietà.
